Vehicle lift adapter

ABSTRACT

A vehicle lift adapter pad assembly including a base member adapted to slidably engage typical lift arm structure of the vehicle lift. A vertical pin is pivotally attached to the base member and is provided with a transverse aperture carrying therein a horizontal shaft. High step and low step adapter pads are pivotally attached to the horizontal shaft and selectively movable between off center upright positions and reclined positions.

United States Patent Provine, III

[ Nov. 25, 1975 VEHICLE LIFT ADAPTER Edgar B. Provine, III, Memphis,Tenn.

inventor:

Dover Corporation, Washington, D.C.

Filed: Oct. 26, 1972 Appl. No.: 300,982

Assignee:

U.S. Cl. 187/8.75 Int. Cl. B66F 7/28 Field of Search l87/8,4l, 8.47,8.49, 8.52,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1962 Goldzwigum l87/8.75

Goldzwig et al. l87/8.75 Pelouch l87/8.75

Primary ExaminerEvon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner.lames L, RowlandAttorney, Agent, or FirmJohn R. Walker, ill

[57] ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 19753,921,762 V VEHICLE LIFT ADAPTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION lowing US.patents. The Halstead US. Pat. Nos.

2,899,020; 2,949,978; the Cochin US. Pat. No. 2,777,538; the Wallace US.Pat. Nos. 2,958,395; 3,149,699; the Goldzwig US. Pat. No. 3,052,322;Goldzwig et al. US. Pat. No. 3,205,977; the Swick US. Pat. No.3,243,015; the Hott US. Pat. No.'3,33'l,470; and the Pelouch US. Pat.No. 3,367,449. None of the above patents show or suggest applicantsdevice.

During the past decade the state of the art has become highly devolpedas is evidenced by the abovementioned patents. The whole intent of thesetype adapters in general is to have a pickup point which may be movablycontrolled so as to engage optimum portions of the vehicle undercarriage. The usual practice in vehicle lift adapters is to include astep saddle which is pivotally attached to the sliding base with acentral pivot pin which has an upwardly directed head portion to capturethe step saddle and having the lower end of the shank portion welded tothe sliding base, e.g., like that taught in the above-mentioned2,949,978 patent. The following is a quote from column 3, secondparagraph of the 2,949,978 patent and wherein the term base element isused in lieu of step saddle:

Each slide 16 carries a vehicle frame engaging pad, generally designated22. Said pad comprises a base element generally designated 23, whichincludes an elongated plate 24 having an inverted channel 25 extendingthereacross with its downwardly depending side legs weldedto the edgesof plate 24. Base element 23 is supported for rotation about a verticalaxis on slide 16 by means of a pivot pin 26 (FIGS. 6, 7, 8) which isjournalled through plate 24 and may have its lower end rigidly secured,as by welding, to the portion of slide 16 above arm 12. Channel 25presents a generally horizontal upwardly directed surface which isthereby supported for rotary movement about 360 in a horizontal plane.

Several problems prevail with certain prior vehicle lift adapters of theabove-described type: First, the weld holding the vertical pin to thesliding base often ruptures as a result of abuse and/or constant heavyloads in normal use. Second, any malfunction or deformation of thecomponent parts of the lift adapter usually requires that the entirelift adapter assembly be replaced since the component parts are heldtogether by welds. Third, the step saddle or intermediate part betweenthese adapter pads and the vertical pin increases the overall height ofthe lift adapter and certain vehicles having a low slung undercarriagecannot be lifted with conventional lifts.

The overall height problem was recognized in the 3,205,977 patent andthe following is a quote from column l therefrom:

The structure comprising a base plate attached to the top of a hydraulicor semi-hydraulic post, the rails pivoted thereto and the slidableadapters is termed a superstructure Because theunderbodies of modernautomobiles are so low, it'is necessary that the superstructures offrame contact lifts be as low as possible when the lift is in its lowestposition. At the present time, lifts are commercially available that areonly 4 /2 5 /2 inches above the ground when in a loweredposition. Evenwith such low lifts, the superstructures are still too high for someautomobiles, especially some models of sports cars. When it is desiredto raise such a sports car by a frame contact lift, means to elevate thesports car with respect to the lift as it is being driven over the liftmust often be provided. This, of course, is time-consuming andbothersome Generally, there is'little difficulty with the height of thebase plate and the pivoted lift rails. The height difficulty isprimarily encountered in the height of the slidable adapters sincetheadapters necessarily project above the rails upon which they slide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towardsovercoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous liftadapters. The concept of the present invention is to provide arelatively inexpensive and more effective lift adapter which facilitatesremovaland replacement of each individual component part by using simplehand tools.

The lift adapter of the present invention includes a base member adaptedto slidably engage typical lift arm structure'of the vehicle lift. Avertical pin is also included which is pivotally attached to the basemember, i. e., the base member is provided with an aperture whichreceives the pin. The pin, having a downwardly directed head, isprovided with this transverse aperture for carrying therein a horizontalshaft which secures the pin to the base member. Also included are highstep and low step adapter pads which are pivotally attached to thehorizontal shaft, that is, each pad is selectively movable between anoff center upright position and a reclined position, thus providingseveral different heights for the lift adapter.

The advantages of the lift pad adapter of the present invention are:First, the adapter is totally void of welds. Second, the adapter is moreeffective yet cheaper to manufacture. Third, each individual componentpart can be easily replaced with the use of simple hand tools. Fourth,the step saddle or the intermediate member which previously supportedthe adapter pads is completely eliminated. This reduces the cost ofmanufacturing and also allows for reduction in the overall height of thelift adapter. Therefore, vehicles having extremely low undercarriage maynow be lifted with the vehicle lift.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top view of the liftadapter of the present invention shown in conjunction ,with lift armstructure of the vehicle lift.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view'of the structure depicted in FIG. 1showing the lift adapter pads in a reclined position and engaging andsupporting undercarriage structure of the vehicle which is depicted inphantom therein.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as on the line IIIIIl of FIG. '1.

FIG. 4 is a partial view similar to FIG. 2'except the low step adapterpad is in an off center upright position for engaging and supporting thephantomized structure 3 of the vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as on the line VV of FIG. 1 and showingthe high step adapter pad in an off center upright position and engagingand supporting the phantomized structure of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The lift adapter 11 of thepresent invention is intended to provide an adjustable means foradapting a typical vehicle lift (not shown) to undercarriage framestructure 13 of the vehicle, i. e., the frame structure 13 beingphantomized in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. It should be pointed out that thevehicle lift per se may be any of the well known types such as thatpatented by Goldzwig et al. US. Pat. No. 3,205,977 and previouslymentioned. The lift adapter 11 of the present invention specifically isintended to be adapted to slide to and fro along typical lift armstructure 15 of the vehicle lift, i. e., similar to the lift rails 24disclosed in the 3,205,977 patent. The above brief description of avehicle lift per se will suffice for present purposes. Reference shouldbe made to the 3,205,977 patent and/or other references in the state ofthe art for a more detailed description of the character and structureof the vehicle lift.

The lift adapter 11 of the present invention includes a base member 17adapted to slide to and fro along the lift arm structure 15 in any wellknown manner, e. g., confrontingly arranged flanges 19 joined by ahorizontally disposed web 21 upwardly thereof and terminating downwardlythereof respectively by inwardly directed flanges 23 which slidablyengages the respective sides, upper, and lower surfaces of the lift armstructure 15 as clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing.

Also included is a main pin 25 which is pivotally attached to the basemember 17 with the main pin 25 being free to pivot about a verticalaxis. More specifically, the horizontal web 21 is provided with arecessed aperture 27 and the main pin 25 has a shank portion 29 and ahead portion 31 with the aperture 27 pivotally receiving the main pin25, i. e., the shank portion 29 protruding upwardly from the base member17 and the lower surface of the head portion 31 being flush with theunderside of the base member 17, as clearly shown in FIG. 3 of thedrawing. In this regard, it should be noted that an annular ridge 33appears adjacent the recessed aperture 27. This is for the purpose ofshaping the recessed aperture 27 while at the same time providingoptimum strength for supporting the pin 25 and keeping the thickness ofthe horizontal web 21 to a minimum which obviously aids in minimizingthe overall height of the lift adapter 11.

The pin 25 is provided with a transverse aperture 35 which receives ahorizontally disposed shaft 37. The lift adapter 11 also includes a highstep adapter pad 39 for selectively engaging structure of the vehicle orthe undercarriage frame 13 and a low step adapter 41 which may alsoselectively engage the undercarriage frame 13.

The high step adapter pad 39 includes a first pair of ears 43 and thelow step adapter pad 41 includes a second pair of ears 45. The high andlow step adapter pads 39, 41 respectively have off center uprightpositions and reclined positions character referenced in the drawing bythe numerals 39, 41; 39", 41" as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of thedrawings. The adapter prior to lifting the vehicle. In other words, theadapter pads 39, 41 are depicted in FIG. 2 of the drawings in reclinedpositions which present the respective surfaces 47, 49 upwardly forengaging the undercarriage frame 13. It should be noted that with theadapter pads 39, 41 both in the reclined position, the overall height ofthe lift adapter 1 1 is at its minimum adjustment. Additionally, the lowstep adapter pad 41 is depicted in FIG. 4 in the off center uprightposition 41', thus presenting an upwardly directed surface 51 forengagement with the undercarriage frame 13 or providing an intermediateheight adjustment. Further, the high step adapter pad 39 is depicted inFIG. 5 in the opposite upright position 39, thus presenting an upwardlydirected surface 53 for engagement with the undercarriage frame 13 orproviding the maximum height adjustment of the lift adapter 1 1.

From FIG. 3 of the drawing, it may be seen that the first pair of ears43 are provided with aligned apertures 55 and the second pair of ears 45are provided with aligned apertures 57 all of which pivotally receivethe shaft 37. The first and second pairs of ears 43, 45 straddle themain pin 25. Additionally, the ears 43 are adjacent the pin 25 and thecars 45 are remote therefrom. Accordingly, the respective high and lowstep adapter pads 39, 41 may selectively be pivoted about the shaft 37between the off center upright positions 39', 41' and the reclinedpositions 39", 41" in the manner just described.

The shaft 37, being full floating, is captured on opposite ends thereofin any well known manner, e. g., Truarc external series klip-rings 59 orthe like. It will be understood that klip-rings 59 may be removedwithout special tools. Only a screwdriver or the like need be utilizedto pry off the klip-rings 59 by insertion into the notch 60. From FIGS.1 and 3 of the drawings, it may be seen that the ears 43 have portionsthereof removed ing the lift adapter 11 to the undercarriage frame 13 asat 61 to establish clearance between the ears 43 and the annular ridge33, thus allowing the high step adapter pad 39 to be moved freelybetween the off center upright position 39 and the reclined position39".

From FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, it may be seen that the high stepadapter pad 39 includes first shoulder means 63 for restingly engagingand rigidly supporting the low step adapter pad in the off centerupright position 41. The upper end or surface 51 of the low step adapterpad 41 engages the undercarriage frame 13 of the vehicle and has theweight of the vehicle resting thereon. In other words, the off centerupright position 41 is approximately 15 from a true vertical. Thus, theweight of the vehicle pushing down upon the surface 51 tends to rotatethe low step adapter pad 41 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 4, but isprevented from doing so since respective portions of the surface 49adjacent the ears 45 engages the pair of shoulders 63.

Additionally, the low step adapter pad means 41 includes second shouldermeans 65 for restingly engaging and rigidly supporting the high stepadapter pad 39 in the off center position 39. The upper end or surface53 of the high step adapter pad 39 engages the undercarriage frame 13 ofthe vehicle and has the weight of the vehicle resting thereon. In otherwords, the off center upright position 39 is approximately 15 from atrue vertical. Thus, the weight of the vehicle pushing downwardly on thesurface 53 tends to rotate the high step adapter pad 39 clockwise, asviewed in FIG. 5, but is prevented from doing so since portions of thesurface 47 adjacent the ears 43 engage the shoulder 65.

From FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, it may be seen that the respectiveears 43, 45 include bulging elliptical periphery portions 67, 69 ormeans for positively seating the head portion 31 of the main pin means25 into the recessed aperture 27. The bulging portions 67 of therespective ears 43 wedgingly engages the upper sur face of the web 21 asthe high step adapter pad 39 is moved to the off center upright position39'. Additionally, the bulging portions 69 of the respective ears 45wedgingly engages the upper surface of the web 21 as the low stepadapter pad 41 is moved to the off center upright position 41.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respectto a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is notto be so limited since changes and modifications may be made thereinwhich are within the full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A vehicle lift adapter comprising a base member adapted to slide toand fro along typical lift arm structure of the vehicle lift, main pinmeans having shank and head portions, said base member being providedwith a recessed aperture pivotally receiving said main pin means withsaid shank portion thereof protruding upwardly from said base member andsaid head portion being flush with the underside of said base member andsaid head portion slidably engaging said lift arm struc ture of thevehicle lift, shaft means, said shank of said main pin means beingprovided with a transverse aperture receiving said shaft means with saidshaft means being horizontally disposed, high step adapter pad means forselectively engaging structure of the vehicle and having a first pair ofears, and low step adapter pad means for selectively engaging structureof the vehicle and having a second pair of ears, said high and low stepadapter pad means selectively supporting the weight of 6 the vehicle andrespectively having off center upright positions and reclined positionsthereto, said first and second pairs of ears being provided with alignedapertures pivotally receiving said shaft means with said first andsecond pairs of ears straddling said main pin means with one of saidpairs of ears being adjacent said main pin means and the other of saidpair of ears being remote therefrom whereby said respective high and lowstep adapter pad means may selectively be pivoted about said shaft meansbetween said off center upright positions and said reclined positions,said high step adapter pad means including first shoulder means forrestingly engaging and rigidly supporting said low step adapter padmeans in said off center upright position with the upper end of said lowstep adapter pad means engaging structure of the vehicle and having theweight of the vehicle resting thereon; said low step adapter pad meansincluding second shoulder means for restingly engaging and rigidlysupporting said high step adapter pad means in said off center uprightposition with the upper end of said high step adapter pad means engagingstructure of the vehicle and having the weight of the vehicle restingthereon.

2. The adapter of claim 1 in which is included means for positivelyseating said head of said pin means into said recessed aperture, saidhead seating means being operable by selectively moving said high andlow step adapter pad means to said off center upright positions.

3. The adapter of claim 2 in which said head seating means includesbulging elliptical periphery portions of said ears which wedginglyengage the upper surface of said base member as said high and low stepadapter pad means selectively are moved to said off center uprightpositions.

1. A vehicle lift adapter comprising a base member adapted to slide toand fro along typical lift arm structure of the vehicle lift, main pinmeans having shank and head portions, said base member being providedwith a recessed aperture pivotally receiving said main pin means withsaid shank portion thereof protruding upwardly from said base member andsaid head portion being flush with the underside of said base member andsaid head portion slidably engaging said lift arm structure of thevehicle lift, shaft means, said shank of said main pin means beingprovided with a transverse aperture receiving said shaft means with saidshaft means being horizontally disposed, high step adapter pad means forselectively engaging structure of the vehicle and having a first pair ofears, and low step adapter pad means for selectively engaging structureof the vehicle and having a second pair of ears, said high and low stepadapter pad means selectively supporting the weight of the vehicle andrespectively having off center upright positions and reclined positionsthereto, said first and second pairs of ears being provided with alignedapertures pivotally receiving said shaft means with said first andsecond pairs of ears straddling said main pin means with one of saidpairs of ears being adjacent said main pin means and the other of saidpair of ears being remote therefrom whereby said respective high and lowstep adapter pad means may selectively be pivoted about said shaft meansbetween said off center upright positions and said reclined positions,said high step adapter pad means including first shoulder means forrestingly engaging and rigidly supporting said low step adapter padmeans in said off center upright position with the upper end of said lowstep adapter pad means engaging structure of the vehicle and having theweight of the vehicle resting thereon; said low step adapter pad meansincluding second shoulder means for restingly engaging and rigidlysupporting said high step adapter pad means in said off center uprightposition with the upper end of said high step adapter pad means engagingstructure of the vehicle and having the weight of the vehicle restingthereon.
 2. The adapter of claim 1 in which is included means forpositively seating said head of said pin means into said recessedaperture, said head seating means being operable by selectively movingsaid high and low step adapter pad means to said off center uprightpositions.
 3. The adapter of claim 2 in which said head seating meansincludes bulging elliptical periphery portions of said ears whichwedgingly engage the upper surface of said base member as said high andlow step adapter pad means selectively are moved to said off centerupright positions.